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Reducing Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake: Community Ideas from Urban and Rural Kenya

Author

Listed:
  • Ahmed Asa’ad Al-Aghbari

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Violet Naanyu

    (School of Arts and Social Sciences, Moi University, Eldoret, Kenya)

  • Stanley Luchters

    (Centre for Sexual Health and HIV AIDS Research (CeSHHAR), Harare 0002, Zimbabwe
    Department of International Public Health, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM), Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
    Department of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium)

  • Eunice Irungu

    (The Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa, Mumbasa, Kenya)

  • Kawthar Baalawy

    (The Aga Khan Hospital Mombasa, Mumbasa, Kenya)

  • Till Bärnighausen

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

  • Joy Mauti

    (Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, Heidelberg University Hospital, Im Neuenheimer Feld 130.3, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany)

Abstract

Following the rapid development of COVID-19 vaccines, addressing vaccine hesitancy and optimizing uptake have emerged as critical challenges, emphasizing the importance of reducing barriers toward COVID-19 vaccination. This study investigates ideas on ways to reduce barriers to COVID-19 vaccination uptake. It explores methods that can overcome COVID-19 vaccination barriers through qualitative research: interviews and group discussions involving healthcare providers, administration personnel, teachers, and individuals with chronic conditions across urban (Mombasa) and rural (Kilifi) Kenya. Audio-recorded discussions were transcribed and thematically analyzed across locations. Five themes emerged in our results regarding the reduction in barriers to COVID-19 vaccination in the context of Kenya, including awareness campaigns, engaging diverse stakeholders, using various communication techniques, capacity building to increase vaccination centers and trained staff, and lastly, revising relevant government health policies and guidelines. These results indicate the importance of adopting multiple approaches, as no single strategy can boost vaccine acceptance. Moreover, this study provides recommendations for conceiving actionable interventions to potentially boost vaccine demand and maintain routine immunization in Kenya.

Suggested Citation

  • Ahmed Asa’ad Al-Aghbari & Violet Naanyu & Stanley Luchters & Eunice Irungu & Kawthar Baalawy & Till Bärnighausen & Joy Mauti, 2023. "Reducing Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Uptake: Community Ideas from Urban and Rural Kenya," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(23), pages 1-15, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:23:p:7093-:d:1285131
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ganesh Iyer & Vivek Nandur & David Soberman, 2022. "Vaccine hesitancy and monetary incentives," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 9(1), pages 1-10, December.
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